Support



Aug. 19, 1941. F. A. FAHRENWALD SUPPORT Filed Oct. 27, 1938 2Sheets-Sheet 1 a/am Inverfuor: Fimfli 411mm 'enwold Q9 75% Aid, h s.

Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICEL 2,252,963 v SUPPORTFrank A. Fahrenwald, Chicago, Iii. Application October 2'7, 1938, SerialNo. 237,297

5 Claims.

My invention relates to enameling and analogous processes where articlesto be subjected to a high degree of heat are passed through a furnace,either continuously on a traveling belt, or step by step by means ofsome sort of pushing arrangement. It includes among its objects andadvantages a material reduction in the relative weight of the supportproper for supporting such an article during heat treatment, togetherwith increased resistance to the disintegrating action of repeatedheating and cooling.

Further objects andadvantages of the invention will become apparent asthe description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a supporting unit according to theinvention;

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figures 1 and 3;

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a modification;

and t Figure 6 is a section on line 6--6 of Figure 5.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration in Figures1 to 4, the individual uprights H] are first cast separately. Each suchupright has a flaring base at l2. A plurality of such uprights arematerial of the I beam I4 is cast in that mold with bosses orenlargements l6 adjacent the base [2 of each upright, which enlargementsreceive and grip the bases.

In the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 the round uprights l l are cast inone piece with the metal of the I beam [5.

In either instance the bottom beam includes an upper flange l8 and alower flange 2|] connected by a web 22.

As compared with the heavier structures of the prior art, the supportingmeans so far described embodies no adequate base for maintaining theparts in the upright position. In Figure 1, I have indicated two beamsl4 positioned a considerable distance apart and interconnected by crossrods 24 passing through aligned holes drilled in the bases of the bossesIt. In this way a wide variety of units can be quickly assembled from astock of I beams with cast-in uprights l0, and a supply of simple roundrods 24. In the one piece embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 the stub arms 30are channel-shaped and the cross piece 32 is simply laid in and fastenedwith rivets 34.

then laid in a mold, and the When such supports are used in enamelingovens, the tops of the uprights H] are pointed as indicated at 20, andfor a short distance below each point, the edges of the upright arebeveled a little as indicated at 28 to avoid any collection of dustwhich might get hold of a sharp edge and tend to injure the enamel wareby blowing up against it. Because such an assembly as I have disclosedweighs only a fraction as much as previous supports for the samepurpose, a very large heat saving is accomplished. The significance oithis will be more apparent when it is considered that in many instancesthe supporting means weighs more than the article supported, but it isnecessary to heat both of them to the high temperature to which thesupported article must be subjected, and the subsequent withdrawal ofthe article and support from the furnace represents a loss of the heatdelivered to both.

In service, supports of this sort promptly build up a black coating ofoxide, commonly believed to be chiefly chromium oxide, and this oxidetends to spall off in tiny almost microscopic flakes which get into theenamel and cause discoloration and blemishes. The use of nickel up to60% materially obviates this ditficulty.

However, in such high nickel alloys in which the carbon is relativelyhigh, say from 0.50% to 1.20%, another difficulty is encountered in thatthe irit, where it contacts the sharpened point of the support, corrodesthe sharpened point rapidly so that the point has to be resharpenedfrequently and the life of the support is materially reduced. Whetherthis corrosion is primarily by dissolving the oxide coating at the topis not certain, but it is believed that this action is primarilyresponsible. In any event, the use of carbon below 0.30% and preferablyas low as 0.25% very materially reduces the corrosion by the frit at thesupporting tip. The analysis resulting from the experimentationsupporting the foregoing statements is to 65% nickel, 17% to 21%chromium, and not more than 0.30% carbon; the balance iron with theusual metallurgical impurities. The percentage I prefer is nickel, 18%chromium and carbon 0.25%, but any alloy within the range stated will beoutstanding in its resistance to the corrosive action of the frit.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain myinvention that others may, by applying knowledge current at the time ofapplication, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions ofservice.

I claim:

1. In a furnace support, an I beam'having a vertical web and horizontaltop and bottom flanges not greater in horizontal dimension than twicethe thickness of the web; a plurality of pre-cast uprights embedded inand projecting upwardly from the beam; said beam having transverse holesdrilled therethrough to receive cross bars.

2. In an enameling furnace support: an upright having a conical point atthe top; said upright being of substantially rectangular horizontalcross section below said point; the vertical edges of said upright beingbeveled adjacent said point.

3. In an enameling furnace support: a horizontal beam of I cross sectionwith the web vertical; and uprights extending above said beam to supportarticles to be enameled.

4. In an enameling furnace support: a horizontal beam of I cross sectionwith the Web vertical; said web having a thickness substantially halfthe flange width; and uprights extending above said beam to supportarticles to be enameled.

5. In an enameling furnace support: a horizontal beam of I cross sectionwith the web vertical; said web having a thickness substantially halfthe flange width; and uprights extending above said beam to supportarticles to be enameled; said uprights having a thickness substantiallythe same as said web.

F. A. FAHRENWALD.

